“His invincible armor was a shield of bliss.”

“And that’s what innocence is. It’s simple and trusting like a child, not judgmental and committed to one point of view.”

DANCING THE DREAM

Michael Jackson

Neal Donald Walsch’s words speak to Michael Jackson’s Legacy when he says, “If you cannot find a group whose consciousness matches your own, be the source of one. Others of like consciousness will be drawn to you.”

“Hate has caused a lot of problems in this world, but it has not solved one yet.”

Maya Angelou

DANCING THE DREAM offers a glimpse into Utopia…describing what it could be like, and what needs to be changed to reach it. The wonder, magic, mystery and innocence of children delivers the key to unlocking the hidden beauty. Without innocence, Utopia is only a dream. Without love, its possibilities will never happen. The power of innocence, of compassion, of light point the way.

Michael Jackson believed that every action needs to come from love. That was his mantra for five decades. Placing his faith in the power of the people, he challenged us to be better, creating music, film and performances that opened our minds, bringing us out of our comfort zones. Tackling everything from child abuse and neglect to racism, from abandonment to greed and corruption, from abortion to drugs, from the abuse of women to runaway children, from media misused power to corrupted officials, from false accusations to AIDS, from environmental destruction to injustice…issues that many believed found no home in pop music. Michael Jackson Communities gather strength from these love memories. Those who were threatened by Michael’s civil rights actions, continue attacking, minimizing and otherizing to this day, locked in their pattern of thinking and responding while living in a world of “cut and paste.”

Many find the paradoxes that surrounded Michael to be proof that he wasn’t for real. But, again, narrow minded thinking prevents real understanding. What must first be accepted is that Michael Jackson was a “GENIUS WITHOUT BORDERS,” (Chicago Columbia College Symposium 2014)…and, that “WHATEVER YOU DO, DO IT WITH LOVE,” was not a cliché. Michael’s teachings came in part through paradox.

“Michael was a man of many paradoxes, most of which we were able to represent in the clothes we designed: rigid military cuts that were also elastic and movable; rebellious regalia fit for army commanders worn over the heart of a gentle man; bedazzled embellishments adorning a man blessed with a quiet humility; one-of-a-kind handcrafted clothes worn with aged, scuffed Florsheim shoes. Michael was the epitome of an enigmatic superstar.”

Michael Bush

“MICHAEL JACKSON’S IMAGE WAS AS MUCH A WORK OF ART AS THE MAN HIMSELF.”

Michael Bush

His pioneering spirit, visionary creativity and limitless imagination turned worldly iconic symbols into HIS ICONIC TRADEMARKS…purposefully reversing the original intent. Military clothes, marching armies and statues spun violence, hatred and war into a whole new reality. That spinning caught the narrow-minded, agenda-ridden, off guard and reeling with self-righteous and attention-getting indignation.

“Yeah! They fell into my trap…I wanted everybody’s attention. The symbols have nothing to do with that. It’s not political, it’s not fascist, it’s not dogma, it’s not ideology, and all that stuff. It’s pure simple love. You don’t see any tanks. You don’t see any cannons. It’s about love. It’s people coming together. It’s art.”

Michael Jackson

Clearly, the interviewer was out of her comfort zone and portrayed the public to be along side her. Reality painted a different picture. Michael’s HISTORY promotional campaign thrives to this day…its statues being placed around the world.

Taking symbols of oppression and violence from the past, dancing them on their heads and replacing them with positive energy and armies of love, defined one of Michael Jackson’s uses of paradox…inspiring people to think and change their perceptions. No other artist has used his body as canvas, creating wearable art that offered message. Normal is said to rob us of the opportunity to be extraordinary. Few would argue that Michael Jackson was extraordinary in every sense of the word. Using his fame and fortune, tirelessly working with every one of his God-given talents, he presented the world with the dilemma of human struggles and a window into what a Utopian world could be like. Through paradox, he engaged our thinking and presented us with workable solutions.

Michael Jackson’s artistic power has no boundaries, no borders. It came from a place of innocence and was wrapped in childlike joy. His potency and power threatened the agenda-ridden. He is a part of us…we are a part of him.

In endless ways they tried to destroy

His simple trust, his boundless joy

His invincible armor was a shield of bliss

Nothing could touch it, no venom, no hiss

DANCING THE DREAM

Each day we are given ONE MORE CHANCE AT LOVE. Michael is forever. Through paradox and challenging our minds, he moves us to want better, imagine better and strive to BE better.

I’M SENDING OUT A MAJOR LOVE

AND THIS IS MY MESSAGE TO YOU

THE PLANETS ARE LININ’ UP

BRINGING BRIGHTER DAYS

THEY’RE ALL IN LINE

WAITING FOR YOU

YOU’RE JUST ANOTHER PART OF ME

Thank you, Michael. We love you!

Thank you, Sister Irina, for your words…”There is no way not to grow a better person under those divine eyes.”

6 thoughts on ““His invincible armor was a shield of bliss.””

i am always astounded at the level and depth of your writing for Michael. you always open eyes and hearts giving even a new level of awe to those of us who love Michael so deeply already. Thank you so much and forgive me for not saying it more often. Love you so much.

There always seems to be more to say about Michael. He was so expressive…he himself was a work of art (as said by Michael Bush), his costume designer. Everyone who worked with him loved him. The crew, musicians, dancers….etc. People who didn’t know him missed the point. He wasn’t a saint but was definitely saintly. Sometimes I felt he was fron another world. When I was with him, I used to get goosebumps! Today I am grateful for having known him as well as I did. What a journey!

Beautiful as always, dear Jude. ‘He moves us to want better, imagine better and strive to BE better”. Yes! What you write Jude, reflects his heart so well. Together, we are dancing the dream; dancing HIS dream.

There is always more to say about Michael! He was endlessly fascinating! I looked forward so much to every rehearsal with him and going with him to his recording sessions and his performances! Sometimes I sat in the audience and other times I watched from the wings! Being backstage was fantastic…..his energy was so palpable….the air seemed to change when he was present! I never experienced anything like that, except with Mr. Balanchine! I miss that incredible aura! It is difficult to describe in words, but when you have been in the presence of genius, you never forget it! Never!